Metropolitan Seattle Sickle Cell Task Force

Participate in our monthly therapeutic services at the SC Hub in West Seattle, hosted by MSSCTF, available free of charge to Sickle Cell Warriors and their caregivers.

Register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvRdMqoQ_IxLos17m9GYyNOlT5ANqfDPmF7FbPOlxEasmztg/viewform

Maya always dreamed of being a dancer, but at 11 years old, her life changed in an instant. A stroke forced her to relearn how to walk, speak, and navigate the world through a new lens. She turned to the only thing that called to her just as deeply as dance: art. What started as a necessary pivot became an intentional form of expression and healing. Growing up with sickle cell, Maya often felt like an outsider. She struggled to feel seen while navigating a chronic illness that many people didn’t understand, all while being naturally shy. So, she created what she couldn’t find.

“A lot of my pieces are about navigating life with sickle cell. I want people to understand what isn’t always visible.”

Living with sickle cell means navigating an “invisible illness,” one that is often dismissed or misunderstood. That reality appears vividly in her work. One of her pieces features roses tipped with darts aimed at the body, a metaphor for the ebb and flow of pain that isn’t always visible to others, and what it means to manage that pain in public. It reflects the constant, shifting nature of living with sickle cell.

More than anything, she wants young Black artists and those living with chronic illnesses to see themselves reflected in her work. Her piece, Sacred Rest, centers the importance of rest, something often overlooked in both art and everyday life. “Rest is incredibly important, especially living with a chronic illness.” Now exhibiting in her first museum at the Northwest African American Museum, Maya is stepping into a new phase in her journey. After a period where things felt slow, she’s beginning to see renewed momentum.

“My art has taught me I’m incredibly resilient, that I’m powerful.”

Maya refuses to be confined. Her work reflects that mindset, blending Afrofuturism, identity, and symbolism into a visual language that is entirely her own. As she looks ahead, she remains intentional about growth and collaboration, hoping to work with artists and organizations that align with her values and sense of purpose. Her work can be found through 21 Entities, her creative platform where she shares her evolving body of work and artistic vision. https://www.21entities.com/

The Seattle Sickle Cell Workforce Pathways Internship is here to help sickle cell warriors, family members, and community supporters explore meaningful career pathways while building confidence, skills, and connections. ❤️

✨ Internship Highlights:
✔ Introductory exposure to a medical-clinic environment
✔ Learn alongside a patient-focused coalition
✔ Help coordinate community events & retreats
✔ Gain hands-on real-world experience
✔ Build leadership and teamwork skills

📅 Program Dates:
July 30, 2026 – August 31, 2026
& September 11–12, 2026

💵 Stipend: $1,500

🗓 Application Deadline: May 30, 2026

This opportunity is designed to honor your health, your strengths, and your future while helping you grow in supportive environments.

🔗 Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2H5uOQycw4GIdSFBs6Vy2FntaxVip_SP-61SFKABYyxjaQA/viewform
For more information or questions email [email protected]

Participate in our monthly therapeutic services at the SC Hub in West Seattle, hosted by MSSCTF.

Available free of charge to Sickle Cell Warriors and their caregivers.

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScixD6oz_zlOg0Khb-MSvB90c3NW19Z2OEpJH4sMaDdqdRzgw/viewform?usp=send_form

Meet Sickle Cell Disease Program RN Care Coordinator, Hoyan Wong

This month’s community spotlight features Hoyan, RN Care Coordinator for the Sickle Cell Disease Program at Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic and Seattle Children’s. With 14 years in nursing, Hoyan is passionate about helping patients and families navigate healthcare systems while building meaningful, lasting relationships.

From advocating for equitable access to care to supporting patients through the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare, Hoyan brings compassion and community-centered care into every part of her role. She says the most rewarding part of her work is learning from patients and families themselves.

🔗 Link in bio.

Meet Sickle Cell Disease Program RN Care Coordinator, Hoyan Wong

This month’s community spotlight features Hoyan, RN Care Coordinator for the Sickle Cell Disease Program at Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic and Seattle Children’s. With 14 years in nursing, Hoyan is passionate about helping patients and families navigate healthcare systems while building meaningful, lasting relationships.

From advocating for equitable access to care to supporting patients through the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare, Hoyan brings compassion and community-centered care into every part of her role. She says the most rewarding part of her work is learning from patients and families themselves.

Read her full story here:

Meet Sickle Cell Disease Program RN Care Coordinator, Hoyan Wong — MSSCTF For this month’s community spotlight, we’re highlighting Hoyan, RN Care Coordinator for the Sickle Cell Disease Program at Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic and Seattle Children’s. From helping families navigate healthcare systems to building meaningful relationships with patients, Hoyan brings...

*Youth opportunity (not affiliated with the Task Force)*

Opportunity starts with access—and that’s exactly what the Skilled Trades & Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) provides.

This program equips youth with real-world skills, career exposure, and personal development tools to help them succeed beyond the classroom. From skilled trades training to entrepreneurship, STEP is building a stronger future—one young person at a time.

If you know a young person ready to grow, learn, and take control of their future, this is the opportunity they’ve been waiting for.

👉 Sign up today:

Contact Us - Skilled Trades & Entrepreneurship Program Let’s Build the Future Together Whether you’re a student, parent, educator, or future partner, we’d love to connect with you. get in touch Have questions about enrollment, partnerships, or sponsorship opportunities? Reach out and let’s have a  conversation. [email protected]

Get ready, Seattle and surrounding areas—something powerful is on the horizon. 💫

Join us for our Annual Sickle Cell Walk on Saturday, September 12th from 9AM–1PM at Seward Park. This isn’t just a walk—it’s a movement.

A day to unite as a community, celebrate resilience, and raise critical support for life-changing programs like Sickle Cell Camp, Adult Retreats, Support Groups, and more.

✨ Registration is FREE and now open!
Secure your spot today: mssctf.org/annual-sickle-cell-walk

Let’s show up, stand together, and make an impact that goes far beyond the day.

🎓 Scholarship Opportunity Alert! 🎓

We’re excited to share an amazing opportunity for students looking to take the next step in their education!

💰 Scholarship Available
The Gertrude Dawson Scholarship awards Sickle Cell Warriors and their families a part-tuition scholarship in the amount of $1,500 given in increments of $500 per quarter. This scholarship is given in honor of Gertrude Dawson who was instrumental in establishing and maintaining the Sickle Cell Task Force.

✅ Who Should Apply?
Students pursuing higher education
Individuals with strong academic or personal achievements
Those in need of financial support for school

📅 Deadline: June 1st Don’t wait—apply as soon as possible!

📝 Apply Here:
https://forms.gle/eGQgZGCwtdV4ASYy7

📢 Tag a student who should apply or share this post to help spread the word! Opportunities like this can make a real difference.

Gertrude Dawson Scholarship Application Gertrude Dawson Scholarship awards Sickle Cell Warriors and their families a part-tuition scholarship in the amount of $1,500 given in increments of $500 per quarter. This scholarship is given in honor of Gertrude Dawson who was instrumental in establishing and maintaining the Sickle Cell Task Force...

Participant in our monthly therapeutic services at the SC Hub in West Seattle, hosted by MSSCTF, available free of charge to Sickle Cell Warriors and their caregivers.

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSedwBPqyDVzf-Re8jDoJmmeR29jKuEYOgrybT4q7jZv5GpuBA/viewform